Payton Ault said when she put the word out that she wanted to play college golf, one of the people who contacted her was Noah Warren, women’s golf coach at Trine University.

“We started talking through email, and then I made a visit there. The campus is just beautiful,” she said. “I really love the coach, so that is kind of why I want to go there.”

Ault officially signed her national letter of intent to play golf at Trine last week in the trophy room at Brownstown Central High School.

Brownstown coach Brandon Allman said she made a big impact on the Braves’ program and helped them advance to the regional two straight years, and her junior year, she helped the Braves win the Mid-Southern Conference title.

Last fall, while playing the No. 1 position for the Braves, she was named their most valuable player and earned all-Mid-Southern Conference honors. She was all-MSC three years.

Ault averaged 96.6 for 18 holes and 46 for nine holes last fall, and she finished second in the sectional at Bedford with the best tournament score of her career, an 89.

“She epitomizes what you want of a student-athlete, a girl who gets it done on the course but more importantly gets it done in the classroom,” Allman said. “She is a leader in that fashion. She leads through example. She is an absolute role model for younger girls to aspire to be.”

She said her best round at Hickory Hills was a 43, and her favorite hole there is No. 9.

Ault, who received the mental attitude award her freshman and sophomore seasons, said she liked playing at Hickory Hills, but you have to keep your ball in the fairways.

“It’s a pretty challenging nine-hole course, so that’s always good to have,” she said.

Ault did not start playing golf until her freshman season at BCHS. She said she practiced golf in sixth grade, but they did not have any matches that season. Then she played volleyball in the next two years.

She said she came out for golf because of her friends and Allman encouraging her to play.

“I like how golf challenges you mentally. I just love the environment of it. It keeps me going. It keeps me active,” she said.

She said she has confidence in her drives, and she said a 200-yard drive is a good drive for her.

“My irons are usually pretty good,” she said. “That’s my strongest thing. My putting is pretty good most days.”

Allman said Ault is going to continue to work on her swing.

“I think when she gets up there and really starts to focus on golf and gets to play more, she is going to improve her consistency, especially her irons,” he said. “The more you play, the more consistent you’re going to get, and that is what kids learn when they finally get to the college level. When she gets to do it all the time, she is going to really see a big jump.”

Ault played softball the past three springs but said she will be working to improve her golf game this year.

She said practice is important, especially during the summer.

“I’m out there every day trying to get better,” she said.

Ault played in 14 tournaments last summer and plans to play in a few tournaments this summer.

“Golf is a lifelong sport I’ll get to play,” she said.

Trine is located in Angola.

“I think Trine is a great choice for her,” Allman said. “She will have a chance to go in there and play right away. First and foremost, she is going to get a real good education, and to play go up there is just an extra bonus for her.

“It’s just her work ethic. It goes to show that if you put your mind to it and dedicate yourself and work at it, you can make your dreams come true. After her sophomore year, she knew she could do this in college.”